The Help Arrives on Blu-ray December 6!
The Help stars Emma Stone as the courageous Eugenia ‘Skeeter’ Phelan, who goes against the beliefs of her family and friends to find her own voice. The critically praised, emotional performance of Viola Davis as Aibileen Clark, a woman who secretly dreams of one day having more than she has been given, offers a deep emotional storyline. The breakthrough performance of Octavia Spencer as Minny Jackson, whose sass and tough exterior disguise the pain and fear she faces every day, brings both drama and humor to the film.Bryce Dallas Howard breathes life into the catty Jackson socialite Hilly Holbrook and Jessica Chastain brings charm and humor as Celia Foote, a kind housewife living outside of town who longs to fit in. Sissy Spacek, Allison Janney and Ahna O’Reilly also provide vivacious performances that round out this all-star female ensemble. Continue reading ‘The Help Arrives on Blu-ray December 6!’
On September 27, I was invited to participate in a roundtable discussion with legendary Disney producer Dan Hahn, so of course I had to say yes. Mr. Hahn was an integral part of the Disney Renaissance that showcased Disney’s animation in a way that recapture audiences. Mr. Hahn has been involved in Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Beauty and the Beast, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and The Lion King to name just a few and his longtime collaboration with Tim Burton continues with the upcoming Frankenweenie. He also produced a wonderful documentary about some of the history of Disney animation called Waking Sleeping Beauty that I really enjoyed and reviewed 
Hung follows the travails of Ray Drecker, a well-endowed former high school sports legend turned middle-aged high school basketball coach. In this season, Ray, and his unlikely pimp Tanya, have taken on slick “life coach” Lenore Bernard as co-pimp, devastating Tanya in the process. With Lenore pushing a debonair version of hooker Ray on her upscale clients, Tanya wants to prove she has the “right stuff” when it comes to being a successful – and far more ethical – pimp than Lenore. Meanwhile, Ray finds his feelings for his ex-wife Jessica rekindled. The series stars Thomas Jane (The Punisher,*61 from HBO) as Ray Drecker and Jane Adams (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind) as Tanya Skagle, both of whom received Golden Globe® nominations for their roles; Anne Heche (Men in Trees) as Ray’s ex-wife, Jessica Haxon; Eddie Jemison (Ocean’s Thirteen) as Jessica’s successful husband Ronnie; Sianoa Smit-McPhee (As the Bell Rings) as Ray’s daughter Darby; and Charlie Saxton (The Lovely Bones) as Ray’s son Damon. 
America’s favorite extended family is back for even more laughs as Modern Family returns with this season two Blu-ray set! This season two set is packed with tons of exclusive features and never-before-seen footage,and all 24 episodes of the critically acclaimed hit, plus deleted family interviews, extended and deleted scenes, a hilarious gag reel, a music video and much more. The Pritchett clan has Jay sitting at the head, a true guys’ guy experiencing a bit of mid-life crisis, has remarried a much younger wife, Gloria, whose passion and loyalty is matched by her 11-year-old son, Manny, a boy wise beyond his years. Blending together into this new family has quite the learning curve with some culture clashes, a few awkward misunderstandings, and plenty of sweet victories along the way. Modern Family was nominated for seventeen Emmy’s this year and ended up winning five Emmys for Outstanding Comedy Series, Supporting Actor, Supporting Actress, Writing for a Comedy Series and Directing for a Comedy Series, all of which except for the latter were consecutive wins. 
Castle was originally the show that helped me with my unhappiness about the cancellation of Firefly. Like Firefly, it starred Nathan Fillion as a lovable rascal but this time without the edge that Captain Malcolm Reynolds had. Eventually, the show won me over on it’s own merits and it’s one that I genuinely look forward to seeing. It’s got the perfect blend of humor, action, teased romance, and above all the most elusive element to a successful show…chemistry. Not only between Fillion and his partner on the show Stana Katic, but also between the entire cast of the show much like the ill-fated Firefly. Unlike Firefly, this show was given a chance to reach an audience and it’s doing very well in the ratings and the fourth season has just started. 
As the poster below says, “The King Has Returned” with The Lion King once again dominating the box office during it’s new re-release into the theaters. The fact that it’s beating several new movies that have just opened is a testament to it’s lasting popularity and power. I recently had the chance to participate in a round-table discussion with the two directors of The Lion King, Rob Minkoff and Roger Allers about the movie and it’s continuing appeal as well as their upcoming 3D Blu-ray that will be released on October 4th. Both men were very friendly and were happy to answer a ton of questions about the movie and it was evident that they both still had a lot of love and pride for the movie. Both men generously spent almost two hours answering questions and I thank them and Disney publicity for the opportunity. Read on for more… 
Featuring twelve hit programs from the breathtaking aerial travel series, Visions of Europe is now available on Blu-ray from Acorn Media. The value-priced collection offers soaring views of the most spectacular sights in Europe, from sun-kissed Tuscany to the grand streets of Paris. Shot in high-definition from helicopter-mounted cameras, the programs include some of the most popular European Visions destinations including Italy, France, Greece, Germany and Austria, as well as Visions of the Great Cities of Europe. Offering the ultimate in armchair travel, the 6-Disc boxed set also includes more than three hours of bonus material not seen on public television, accompanied by informative narration and soundtracks of regional music. From one of the most popular series on public television, these stunning productions provide a view of Europe’s most beautiful sites in stunning, high-definition clarity. Take an emotional visit to your family’s homeland, revisit favorite sites, or take the trip of a lifetime without leaving home—whatever your inspiration, you’ll never have a better view. 
The universe is 13.7 billion years old. It spans 93 billion light years across and is filled with over 100 billion galaxies, each filled with hundreds of billions of stars. A place so unimaginably vast and complex, it is almost inconceivable that it could ever be understood. But for 2,500 years, humanity has tried to unlock its secrets. Taking science away from telescopes and labs, this series travels into the natural world and across the planet, from the scorched plains of Africa to the snow capped Canadian Rockies. These journeys, across the planet are combined with spectacular images of space. Inspired by the latest data and imagery captured from telescopes and using stunning high definition CGI, Wonders of the Universe offers views of giant supernova, gamma ray bursts and recently discovered galaxies, and sheds light on the furthest reaches of the universe, just moments after its creation. This groundbreaking four-part series explores some of the most profound questions we can ask about ourselves and the celestial world in which we live. 
A routine Jedi Academy field trip is turned into a rip-roaring comic adventure in LEGO Star Wars: The Padawan Menace. Tour guide Master Yoda leads a group of rambunctious Jedi younglings through Senate chambers when he senses a disturbance in the Force. Summoned to help save the Republic, he discovers that one of the Younglings secretly boarded his ship…and has a taste for adventure! Meanwhile, C-3PO and R2-D2 are put in charge of the boisterous group and find themselves in over their heads. As the evil Sith prepare to wreak havoc, it’s up to Yoda and the Droids to ensure that their young charges aren’t torn to bricks! The 22-minute original standalone special will feature the charm, action and irreverent humor that have become the signature style of LEGO Star Wars animation collaborations and will include five LEGO Star Wars shorts, as well as an exclusive, collectible mini-figure. Featuring situations, characters and locations from throughout the entire Star Wars Saga, the original adventure is written by Emmy Award winner Michael Price (The Simpsons) and produced by Oscar-winning Animal Logic, the production company behind Happy Feet. 
New York City, September 11, 2001. The morning everything changed. Ten years after the World Trade Center attacks, The History Channel presents the September 11th Memorial Edition, a collection of specials that document a day none of us will ever forget. Covering every aspect of 9/11 — from the events that led to the attacks, to profiles of key terrorists and political figures, to a minute-by-minute account of the attacks, to examinations of the aftermath, and the inspiring stories of the heroes that made the ultimate sacrifices — this commemorative set pays tribute to the many heroes who laid down their lives and brings sharp focus to the momentous, incomprehensible events surrounding this incomparable national tragedy. 
Released theatrically in 1941, Dumbo, Walt Disney’s fourth animated film, was an immediate success with audiences and critics alike. In addition to its Academy Award for Best Music, Dumbo was also Oscar-nominated for Best Song, for the haunting lullaby, “Baby Mine.” Additional songs from the film, written by renowned composer Frank Churchill and lyricist Ned Washington, have become popular standards. They include the infectious “When I See an Elephant Fly,” and “Pink Elephants on Parade,” which accompanies Dumbo’s feverish dream-sequence. The inspirational tale of Dumbo, the courageous baby elephant who uses his sensational ears to soar to fame with the help of his clever best friend Timothy Q. Mouse, will thrill and delight audiences of all ages. In celebration of this landmark film’s 70th anniversary, experience the daring adventures of the world’s only flying elephant with a dazzling all-new digital restoration with this new Blu-ray high-definition presentation of Walt Disney’s classic Dumbo!
Fed up with crushing rocks on a prison farm in Mississippi, the dapper, silver-tongued Ulysses Everett McGill (Clooney) busts loose…except that he’s still shackled to two misfits from his chain gang: bad tempered Pete (Turturro) and sweet, dimwitted Delmar (Tim Blake Nelsen). With nothing to lose and buried loot to regain, the three embark on a riotous odyssey filled with chases, close calls, near misses and betrayal. Experience every unpredictable moment as it plays out in the crystal-clear sound and breathtaking picture quality of Blu-ray. Populated with strange characters, including a blind prophet, sexy sirens and a one-eyed Bible salesman (John Goodman), O Brother, Where Art Thou is a very original and funny movie that you’ve got to see! 
The great halls of Asgard have fallen silent since a new king has overtaken the throne. His name is Loki, son of almighty Odin, brother to the Thunder God, Thor. Once a powerful trickster — the God of Mischief — Loki now rules the grand kingdom with little regard for its subjects. His only thoughts are focused inward, toward the origins of his own pain and suffering. To quell his torment and to gain the respect he feels he so rightfully deserves, Loki must now execute the prisoner chained deep within the dungeons of Asgard, the one man who has ever shown him love. His own brother. Inspired by the acclaimed graphic novel from Robert Rodi and Esad Ribic, Thor & Loki: Blood Brothers takes a look at Thor and of Loki, two adversarial brothers in the mystical land of Asgard and seemingly forever enemies. But just why does Loki hate his brother Thor? And could it be that this master of mischief isn’t really the villain he’s been branded? Loki’s insatiable lust for power and his feud with Thor take on new meaning in this tale for mature audiences.
